STOCKTON - Eric Hunter knows teammates come and go in professional hockey. He said the key is the ability to adjust.

And the Stockton Thunder has to make some big adjustments going into today's 7:30 p.m. game against the Bakersfield Condors at Stockton Arena.

Hunter centered the Thunder's most productive line with Toni Rajala and Philippe Cornet before the two were promoted to the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League. They are the Thunder's top two scorers, accounting for 19 goals and 42 total points in 14 games.

Hunter, who played with the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters last season, said he will miss them but expects to be productive with new partners Gabriel Levesque and Yannick Riendeau.

"This is just part of the game. In Lake Erie there was a revolving door of guys coming in and out, and that's the nature of pro hockey, " Hunter said. "It's no secret; two leading scorers is a big loss for us. But the two guys who are coming in to join the line are going to be great. We're rolling right now, and confidence is high."

Stockton (10-3-1) has won six in a row at home, and coach Matt Thomas said he is sure he has the talent to keep winning.

"I don't think scoring is going to be our issue. I think the big issue is just making sure our confidence and our belief in the team stays the same," Thomas said. "I'm real confident it will."

Levesque plans to take advantage of the increased playing time. He got off to a great start last season before sitting out most of the year with a hip injury that required surgery. With Stockton's roster loaded with AHL-caliber players at the beginning of this season because of the NHL lockout, it was tough for Levesque and Riendeau to get on the ice.

Levesque has four points in nine games, and Riendeau has seven points in seven contests.

"Right now, everybody might have it in their mind that it might be different offensively without those two guys. But it's now on us to step up," Levesque said. "Now is our chance, and we just need to take it."

The Thunder is averaging 4.2 goals per game, and its plus-20 (59-39) goal differential is the best in the ECHL. Thomas said while Cornet and Rajala were a big part of the success, there's plenty of depth on the roster.

"You have (Matt) Reber and Maylan who have been scoring, and guys like Phil Mangan and Kristians Pelss who can score as well as others," Thomas said. "People will get opportunities, and have to take advantage of them."